On May 25, General Michael Suleiman, commander of the Lebanese army for ten years, was elected Lebanon's 12th president, filling a position, left vacant during a six-month period of political crisis that drove Lebanon dangerously close to all-out civil war. As the vote was confirmed, a familiar sound was heard coming from the streets of Beirut; but this time it was fireworks instead of gunshots.
The new president, widely known as a neutral figure, now faces the task of keeping the country's notoriously violent factions united, including the powerful Hezbollah party. Less than two weeks ago, it was the Opposition Hezbollah party and its allies who were doing the shooting. There are those in Lebanon who want to see Hezbollah disarmed. This discussion is looming and will be the toughest issue General Suleiman will face in his new position. Not surprisingly, the overwhelming vote, which gave Suleiman immense confidence to swap in his military uniform for an elegant suit, reflects a new beginning and an end to fear for the Lebanese people.
Nineteen times: the number of times the Lebanese Parliament had met and failed to elect a president. But finally the six-months of political deadlock ended with a nearly unanimous vote. As the country teetered on the brink of civil war, Lebanon produced a new president and some hope for a more stable political future.
Lebanon is a multi-ethnic nation with many regions, with the vast majority of its population being Arab (approximately 4 million by the 2006 census), and more than half having been converted to Islam. The Islamic sects found in Lebanon include the Sunni, Shi'te and Druze. The additional 46 percent of Lebanese people are Christian church goers. Religious data suggests the Christian population in Lebanon mainly fall into the following categories: Maronite, Roman Catholic, the Greek Orthodox and Armenian Apostolic.
According to the 1932 census, seats in Parliament were then arranged at a population ratio of 6:5 among Christians and Muslims. Lebanon had the largest percentage of Christians among Arab nations, but the number has dwindled since the mid-1980s. In 1975, the sectarian clash between Christians and Muslims escalated into a civil war. The Taif agreement inked in 1989 helped establish a power sharing system between Christian and Muslim Lebanese political parties. And a ceasefire followed in 1990.
Currently, Lebanon has two political arch-rivals. One is the pro-Western Parliamentary Majority Party backed by the Lebanese government, and the other is the Opposition Hezbollah Party supported by Syria and Iran. Many Lebanese hope that the success Suleiman achieved in keeping the army united would make him qualified to reunite the entire country as the head of state; to act as a fair arbitrator between the political rivals; and to actively close a deep chasm between the feuding leaders.
Suleiman, a former army commander, has kept military institutions united by refusing to take sides in the polarization between pro- and anti-Western political leaders. In effect, he has become a "consensus candidate" for a presidency that symbolizes unity within a multi-confessional system where strife among sects could become explosive. Many analysts say the country needs an even-handed and level-headed man like Suleiman to strengthen the internal front by unifying political ranks and establishing proper relations with Syria and the West.
Suleiman, 60, joined the army in 1967 and rose to his present post in 1998. He seemed to become more independent after former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's assassination in 2005. Described as "very moderate," Suleiman has repeatedly stated that he is against involving the army in internal clashes; and opposed to religion playing a central role in politics.
However, pressure is mounting on the "neutral' president" as regional and Western powers refuse to abandon their grip over Lebanon. As a result, he will be walking on a thinner tight rope. Some suggest that Suleiman's balancing act as commander of the 56,000-strong army could be useful as president, as he could bring a faint hope for peace to the war-torn country.
By People's Daily Online
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